WHEN I first saw Quadrophenia as a teenager in the '80s I felt that it had been made especially for me.

When I first saw Quadrophenia as a teenager in the '80s I felt that it had been made especially for me. Not only because I was a wannabe mod - it captures so succinctly the rites of passage all young people go through.

This iconic film was part of a mod revival that swept Britain in the late '70s. It touches upon the politics of the time and has a lot to say about the disenchanted working class, but most of all it's about a bloke trying to get a girl. And trying to fit in.

A then virtually unknown Phil Daniels plays Jimmy, a young man bored with his office job and living for the weekend, fed up with a family who don't understand him.

His prized possession is his scooter and all he wants is to get his new suit out of the tailors, pop some pills and go to a club to woo Steph (Leslie Ash).

But Jimmy never seems to get what he wants and if he isn't battling rockers in the streets he's dealing with his own insecurities and recovering from the latest amphetamine comedown.

Also starring Toyah Willcox, Mark Wingett, Philip Davis, Ray Winstone and Sting, it's the little touches that make this film work so well. And Phil Daniels is undoubtedly the star.

He is a revelation, exuding far more emotion than the role requires and enjoying every minute of his time as drugged-up, good-natured Jimmy. With this one role he proved himself a character actor to be reckoned with.

Only Sting is out of place in this carefully painted picture.

He was probably cast as a name to bring in the punters. But that's the whole problem - you are always aware it's Sting sporting that silly haircut and doing that woeful dance. His appearance momentarily pulls you out of the movie.

Still, this was a dynamic debut for director Franc Roddam, who took the essence of The Who's epic saga but made his own film.

With a soundtrack that includes The Who at their very best, alongside James Brown, The Chiffons and Marvin Gaye, Roddam captures '60s Britain perfectly. Not least the sex and drug-fuelled highs and lows of teenage life.

The riot scene on Brighton beach is brilliantly executed and the DVD has anecdotes from the director, cast and crew about how they got mods and rockers to fight for real among the actors. But really this film is all about Daniels. Perhaps his new EastEnders fans might enjoy a fresh-faced Phil acting his smart little socks off in this very British drama.